Fathers, you're important...

Fathers are so important that the whole world celebrates them on the same day!

I found some quotes that are pretty precise...

The greatest gift I ever had came from God; I call him Dad!

~Author Unknown

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

~ Jim Valvano

When I was a kid, my father told me every day, 'You're the most wonderful boy in the world, and you can do anything you want to.'

~ Jan Hutchins

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.

~ Sigmund Freud 

The Bible is so clear on how critical this protection is:

Prov 1:8a - My child, listen when your father corrects you.*

Prov 4:1 - My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment.*

Prov 3:12 -
For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.*

Prov 6:20 - 23 - My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.*

Prov 13:1 - A WISE son heeds [and is the fruit of] his father's instruction and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke.**

The common thing in these verses is Fathers have to be visible...and beyond that, instruct and correct their children - notice the word "when" not "if". God even likens the way He disciplines us to how earthly fathers (are expected to) behave. 

Indeed, Euripides was right when he said: "Noble fathers have noble children."

Fathers even have a warning: Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.** (Eph 6:4)

 A father's words are like a thermostat that sets the temperature in the house. ~ Paul Lewis

The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering-galleries, they are clearly heard at the end and by posterity.

~Jean Paul Richter

Every father should remember that one day

                                      his son will follow his example

instead of his advice.

~ Author unknown

The bottom line is: Fathers cannot afford to be slient and/or standby and let their wives raise the children all by themselves. It takes 2 people to "make" a child and molding that child is always better done by 2 people: Father & Mother - that's the way God ordained it. Fathers, you are very important...your presence is more valuable than your presents...

Fathers, you need to be available to bond with your children - it always makes for a better rounded child.

As fierce lions are known to be, they make out time to have "nose-contact" with their cubs. It's a wonderful feeling -

 try it out.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Sources:

*New Living Translation

**Amplified Bible